"In 2007, Israeli experts trained Georgian commandos," he added. Georgia's Deputy Defense Minister Batu Kutelia previously said that "Georgian corporals and sergeants train with Germans, alpine units and the navy work with French instructors, and special operations and urban warfare troops are taught by Israelis."

The two countries have been doing military hardware deals for almost seven years, "following an initiative by Georgian citizens who immigrated to Israel and became businesspeople," *Ynetnews *notes. "The fact that Georgia's defense minister,Davit Kezerashvili, is a former Israeli who is fluent in Hebrew contributed to this cooperation."

*"His door was always open to the Israelis who came and offered his country arms systems made in Israel," the source said... "The deals in this country were conducted fast, mainly due to the defense minister's personal involvement." *

Former Israel internal security minister Roni Milo was one of the people who pushed those deals along. He "conducted business inGeorgia for Elbit Systems," according to Ynetnews. "And with his help Israel's defense industries managed to sell to Georgia [drones], automatic turrets for armored vehicles, antiaircraft systems, communication systems, shells and rockets."

But, by late 2007, Israeli analysts saw war and the horizon for Russia and Georgia, Ha'Aretz observes. "The defense and foreign ministries started ordering military exports to Georgia be cut last year, thwarting a major deal for Israeli-made Merkava tanks... Senior Israeli generals apparently felt a showdown was imminent, and preferred not to get directly involved."

Especially because Jerusalem "views cooperation from Moscow — which has been supplying Iran with arms and help in its nuclear efforts — as crucial to haltingIran’s drive" for atomic weaponry, the *Jewish Week *adds.

During the first few days of the war, the Russians seemed placated.“We are appreciative of Israel’s position of not selling offensive weapons to a conflict area,” Russian diplomat Anatoly Yurkov said.Today, the rhetoric changed.